Sport Barcelona to delay wage payments amid 'worrying' financial situation

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona's interim president Carlos Tusquets has said that the club will delay players' wage payments scheduled for January amid what he described as a worrying financial situation.

© Reuters/ALBERT GEA FILE PHOTO: La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona v Real Betis

The Catalan club's finances have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.

Last week Barca announced they had reached an agreement with the first-team squad for a wage cut in a bid to fall in line with new La Liga salary caps.

"In January we can't make salary payments...," Tusquets told the RAC1 radio station.

"The players have two salary payments: one in January and another in July. We've delayed the January payment and other payments, such as bonuses for winning trophies."

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Lionel Messi has confirmed that Barcelona players have taken a 70% wage cut. Barcelona also issued a statement confirming the extra financial gesture made by the first-team players. Barcelona boast some of the highest- paid players in the world, including Messi who earns a mind-boggling £500

Buenos Aires province has started talks with some creditors as officials seek their blessing on a plan to delay a 0 million payment due this month. The province’s announcement Tuesday that “limited financial resources” means it needs to push back the principal payment to May 1 from Jan.

Tusquets gave no indication of when the delayed payments would be made.

He did, however, say that the club's financial situation could be managed through to the end of the season, and that things will change when fans are allowed back into their Camp Nou stadium.

"The agreement we've reached will allow us to get through to the end of the season without any treasury issues. This season is saved," he said.

"The economic situation is worrying. It's very bad, but we've got hope. When the ground is opened up, we'll take in 220 million euros (198.75 million pounds) without doing anything, and that goes up to 320 million thanks to the sponsors.

"Meanwhile, we keep having to spend money. It's a horrible situation but when the stadium is back in play, we'll start to recoup money."

(Reporting by Joseph Walker; Editing by Toby Davis)